The new N.C. honey label

The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association's new label certifies that honey meets quality standards. To qualify, honey must be pure and unadulterated.If the producer says it's produced locally, that must be true. If the honey is promoted as coming from a specific floral source, at least 51 percent of the identifiable pollen in the honey must be from the floral source.

"When you see this label, you will know it is good honey and pure," said Danny Jaynes, association president. The association defines honey as the natural, sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of plants. U.S. beekeepers produce about 150 million pounds of honey each year, but demand is much greater. Jaynes says imports provide a strong incentive for brokers to cut corners.